Rachel McDonald feels better than last year on the tennis court, but not perfect.

To her gritty credit, the same can't be said for her record. The Saratoga senior remained undefeated Tuesday with a Section II championship, her second win this year against talented eighth-grader Haejin Lee.

"I didn't want the same outcome as last year," McDonald said matter-of-fact at Sportime after the straight-sets victory (7-5, 6-4). It was a very comparable score to an early-season win against Shaker's top player.

McDonald lost in the sectionals final last October to Niskayuna's Ann Phillips, who now plays at Siena. McDonald recalled taking four games, proud that she hung tough in a season that included an elbow injury and an end-of-season bout with mononucleosis.

So a couple of blisters and an ankle sprain, plus a groundstrokes-hammering Lee, weren't enough to faze her.

"She doesn't give in. When her back's against the wall, Rachel plays her best tennis," said Blue Streaks coach Tim O'Brien.

McDonald played a three-hour match Monday against Lesley Santos of Niskayuna. Falling behind in the first set, and again in the second versus Lee, wasn't ideal.

"I think I would've been fine if we had to play three," McDonald said. "But I was hoping to get it done."

Lee thrived whenever McDonald tried to play a power game. So the player five years older was savvy to mix it up indoors.

"She didn't like the high topspin," McDonald said. "She thrived on low, hard shots. I do usually, too. So I figured I might as well give her something I wouldn't like."

The Saratoga player took a 6-5 lead in the first set and needed just five points to take the set off a little more patience.

Lee broke McDonald for a 4-all score in the second set. But McDonald recovered, then coolly battled back from 15-30 to close out the title, forcing a few shots that landed just beyond the baseline.

McDonald says her goal is to advance further than one state-level match last year — "get my name out for college coaches."

Also from the other three courts of action:

Santos defeated Jackie Bornt of Averill Park (6-1, 7-5) to earn the third and final section spot for next weekend's state tournament.